At the age of 16 John A. Guion went to Tripoli as
Private Secretary to D. S. McCauley, who was Consul there of the United
States. There he was stationed for about two years in the discharge of the
duties of his position, and on his return to this country, having determined
to devote himself to the study of medicine, he entered the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at Philadelphia, where, in 1837, he was graduated
with distinction, and shortly after, when he was but 21 years of age, he was
awarded, after a rigid competitive examination, the posi­tion of Assistant
Surgeon in the United States Navy, a position he filled most acceptably
until 1843, when he resigned to return to his native town to practice his
profession. Dr. Guion improved to the utmost the unusual opportunities and
advantages afforded by his residence in the Mediterranean Ports, and by his
various cruises made while in the Navy. To other acquirements, he added that
of an accomplished linguist. Besides the European languages, he became quite
fluent in Arabic, a language soft and musical as spoken by him.

On the 14th of March, 1843, John A. Guion married Susan
Sydney, born 24th July, 1823, oldest daughter of John M. Roberts of New
Bern, and Mary E. Jones, his wife, a lady eminent for good deeds, of
exemplary piety, zeal and earnestness, who was much beloved, and to her
husband a helpmeet indeed. Mrs. Guion died in New Bern the 26th, of
February, 1880, in the 57th year of her age. Of this marriage seven
children, four sons and three daughters, survived their parents, five of
whom still live in New Bern. Another son attained the age of manhood but
died before his father.

A few years after his marriage Dr. Guion, in
partnership with the late Edward R. Stanly, established a factory in New
Bern, on the present

Images scanned by John B. Green, III. Text prepared by
John B. Green, III and Victor T. Jones, Jr.
This page last edited on
November 20, 2014.

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Cultural Heritage Online' Digitization Grant Program.